Mealybug Ladybird Cryptolaemus montrouzieri
Other name: Mealybug Destroyer
A large distinctive species, used as a biological control for Mealybugs, Pseudococcus and present in some glass houses. Not established outdoors.
Identification Length 3.5-4.5mm
Black hairy wing cases, bright orange head and pronotum, with distinctive orange area on rear wing cases and protruding abdomen.
Eyes and legs dark, antennae orange.
The whorled pattern of hairs on the wing cases catch the light at different angles and can create a thread bare appearance, with light and dark patches, similar to Forestier's Ladybird.
Tropical House, Woodthorpe Grange Park, Notts
Tropical House, Woodthorpe Grange Park, Notts
Tropical House, Woodthorpe Grange Park, Notts
Photo by Mark Hows
Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World
Tropical House, Woodthorpe Grange Park, Notts
Habitat
The only way to see this species is to visit glasshouses open to the public, where this species is often used for biological control. Once introduced they can form self sustaining populations within a very limited and artificial environment. Palm houses and tropical butterfly houses in public parks, ornamental gardens or zoos are a good place to search for Mealybug Ladybirds.
Occasional one off sightings in private houses or gardens are likely to be related to accidental transportation alongside nursery plants and goods.
My only sighting was when I visited the Tropical House at Woodthorpe Grange Park in Nottinghham in 2024.
Tropical House, Woodthorpe Grange Park, Notts
I wandered around slowly for half an hour before I spotted one walking around on the leaves of a Pittosporum growing amongst the tropical planting. Prior to this I had found some evidence of the prey species, with distinctive white woolly deposits and shed skins of mealybugs amongst the foliage.
Mealybug and woolly deposits on foliage
